MPD: A Passion to Serve and Protect

For METRO Police Department Officer Gregorio Montenegro, public service is a passion. The native Houstonian grew up on the city’s northside and said a career serving the community he comes from feels, in many ways, like it was meant to be.

“It’s interesting that I ended up here at METRO. I grew up near Jensen and Hardy and had fond memories of walking my grandmother to her bus stop, where she would catch a METRO bus to her job cleaning offices downtown,” said Montenegro. “I often think about those moments with her, especially when working with or helping our older customers.”

He added that he also took METRO while attending the law enforcement academy, and his wife, an urban planner, also works at the Authority.

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement licenses all MPD officers. Montenegro said protecting and serving the public is top of mind for every police officer in the department, and safety has always been the Authority’s top priority. Each day MPD officers make positive impacts on the community.

Montenegro said protecting and serving the public is top of mind for every police officer in the department, and safety has always been the Authority’s top priority.

However, when crimes do happen, MPD utilizes every tool at its disposal to ensure the traveling public is safe and officers are quick to respond.

“All our facilities, trains, and buses are equipped with surveillance cameras,” said Montenegro. “Even though the public may not see it, we’re seeing it, and when a crime is committed on our system, the probability of these people being caught and tried is very high.”

"All our facilities, trains, and buses are equipped with surveillance cameras,” said Montenegro. “Even though the public may not see it, we’re seeing it."

However, when crimes do happen, MPD utilizes every tool at its disposal to ensure the traveling public is safe and officers are quick to respond.

“All our facilities, trains, and buses are equipped with surveillance cameras,” said Montenegro. “Even though the public may not see it, we’re seeing it, and when a crime is committed on our system, the probability of these people being caught and tried is very high.”

Montenegro also added that METRO vehicles have, in several cases, served as safe havens for people in distress. METRO allows people who need help to solicit assistance from bus operators who can radio law enforcement. It’s just one of many resources the Authority provides the public.

Montenegro said that working at METRO is like being a part of a big family, and he loves his job. “MPD is a representation of the entire community. There are women serving in positions of authority, and people from all backgrounds and nationalities,” he said. “The best thing about this line of work is helping people who can’t help themselves.”

“The best thing is helping people who can’t help themselves,” said MPD Officer Gregoria Montenegro.

Watch Video: Protecting and serving the public is top of mind for every MPD officer. Safety has always been the Authority’s top priority.